Rosia Melvin Davis was born June 10, 1931, to her parents James and Sallie Forte in Forest, Mississippi. She was the tenth child of eleven children. She was raised on a farm, where her father owned 110 acres of land. That was no small feat in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Her mother maintained the house, raised her children, and was an entrepreneur.
Rosia and her family worshipped at Green Grove Methodist Church (her father’s family church) and the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church (her mother’s family church), both of Forest, Mississippi throughout her childhood. At an early age, Rosia accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and developed a relationship of faith in Him. The church was the focal point of the community. Many stories were told about riding in a wagon and sometimes walking the country roads to church where she not only worshipped, but met family members and friends.
Rosia’s early education experience was in a one room schoolhouse in the rural south. After her father’s death, her mother moved the family to Jackson, Mississippi. Her mother, a very industrious and smart lady, created income through a variety of business endeavors to care for her family. Rosia graduated from Lanier High School and briefly attended Jackson State College. Within her upbringing, she was taught the value of hard work and the importance of an education.
Rosia married Emanuel Thador Davis, a military serviceman. From that union, she bore three children: Emanuel, Edward, and Shirley. Due to her husband’s military career, she was the primary parent raising their three children. She proudly instilled in her children and grandchildren an exceptional work ethic and the value of education resulting in them earning multiple college degrees. She did what she could to help them.
Rosia had a strong faith in the Lord; she was a praying woman. She was a longtime member of the Bayview Baptist Church.
On May 26, 2024 at 9:02 a.m., Rosia Melvin Davis peacefully departed from this life to her heavenly reward surrounded by family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, nine siblings and grandchild (Erica). She leaves to cherish her fondest memories: sons; Emanuel Davis (Ada) of Whittier, CA, and Edward Davis of San Diego, CA, daughter Shirley Wilson (Jim) of San Diego, CA, brother Henry Forte of San Diego, CA, four grandchildren; Tomika Davis Nwaudobi, Danielle Jackson, Edward Davis Jr., and Michelle Davis, four great-grandchildren; London I. Goolsby, Cairo A. Udobi, Brooklyn O. Udobi, and Marley C. Jackson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, church family, neighbors, and so many others who loved and will miss her.
FULL OBITUARY IS AVAILABLE ON ANDERSON- RAGSDALE MORTUARY WEBSITE & FACEBOOK PAGE!
